Chris Matthews reups with MSNBC

MSNBC has signed a new deal with one of its top stars.

Chris Matthews has extended his tenure with the left-leaning network, as he has agreed to a new long-term deal that will keep him at the network through the next presidential election. Under the terms of this deal, he will maintain his 5 and 7 p.m. appearances on the network, but will be retiring his syndiated Sunday program come July (specifically July 21).

In a statement, Matthews thanked his executive producer Nancy Nathan for her work with him on The Chris Matthews Show.

“For more than a decade, she and her team have allowed me to offer great Sunday morning television," Matthews said. "I have been proud of every program and the chance to interview some of the best journalists in this country, and, yes, to have them 'tell me something I don’t know.' ”

MSNBC president Phil Griffin praised Matthews and what he means to the network.

"He's as identified with this network as anyone," said Griffin. “He’s our leadoff hitter. There’s nobody smarter about politics than Chris. He has what I think is so important to succeed in this business, particularly in cable. He lives, breathes and relishes everything about politics. His enthusiasm and his passion and how he gets angry over it is all what makes him so good.”

Matthews is also working on a nonfiction book about the relationship between Republican president Ronald Reagan and Democratic speaker Tip O’Neill. 

Happy Matthews is sticking around?